Sanitation Economist Consultant: Economics of Sanitation Study and National Sanitation Investment Case for Zimbabwe, 5 months, Remote, Internationals-only

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

• Education: Master’s degree in economics
• Work Experience: Minimum ten years’ experience conducting research on economics in developing countries.
• Demonstrated experience applying economic valuation methodologies to WASH health, nutrition, environmental or infrastructure sectors.
• Experience undertaking national investment cases, cost-benefit analysis or public expenditure reviews for governments or development partners
• Skills:
• Experience with conducting research into rural and/or urban sanitation in developing country contexts
• Advanced university degree in economics, health economics, development economics, public finance, environmental economics or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience in economics of sanitation, WASH costing, cost-benefit analysis, public expenditure analysis or infrastructure investment appraisal.
• Familiarity with the World Bank ESI methodology and current SDG/JMP sanitation classifications.
• Experience analysing sanitation-health-nutrition pathways.
• Experience with rural, urban and peri-urban sanitation and the full sanitation service chain.
• Strong quantitative skills, including scenario modelling and sensitivity analysis.
• Experience in Zimbabwe or Southern Africa is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to translate technical analysis into policy briefs and senior-level financing messages.
• Experience facilitating government validation processes and transferring economic models to national institutions.
• Fluency in English. Knowledge of relevant Zimbabwean languages would be an advantage for primary consultations

• Language Requirements: English
• Desirables: Knowledge of Shona language is a plus

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

• An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
• Cover letter
• A separate financial proposal (only acceptable in the format of the linked template)  Financial proposal template TMC0005879.xlsx

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

Advertised: 02 Sep 2026 South Africa Standard Time
Applications close: 11 Sep 2026 South Africa Standard Time

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